Sigma 120-400

Took the new lens for a couple hours on Friday down to Black Hole LNR. The weather was sunny, but sadly not much wildlife about. The water was still pretty high from all the wet weather we've had recently. 

Now to the lens. Its very well built, quick to focus and the images are sharp. Really enjoying using it so far. One downside is the weight of it. Shots can be taken handheld and the OS is solid.

Little Egret wading the waters. Were about 3 on the LNR.

Male mallards in flight.

Herring gul in flight. Love how they glide on the thermals.

Just on my way home when I heard this little robin singing his heart out.

All in all, a great lens and looking forward to using it more (weather permitting!)

New lens

My new Sigma 120-400 lens has arrived today. Will take it for a whirl today whilst the weather looks good. 

Oyster catchers + a few more

Had another successful stint down at Blackhole LNR on Sunday. Getting quite keen with bird watching (when the weather permits!). Will be looking to purchase a new lens (possibly 400/500mm) in the near future as everything, particularly birds and other wildlife, are so far away most of the time.


I had seen the Oyster catchers before but not managed to get a half decent picture of the pair. This time the weather conditions were better, but they were sat in the distance on an island. 

Another spot from the island hide was a pair of Black headed guls. Quite striking looking with their black heads - a relatively good looking gul! 

Will be popping back again when the weathers improved and hopefully entice some of the summer wildlife over. 

Productive hour

Made another visit to Black Hole LNR today post hailstone storm. Wide array of birds both woodland and water. 

Pied wagtail down by the waterside

Kestrel high up searching for potential prey

Grey Heron 

Song thrush singing in the tree tops. Took me ages to find where it was!

My first proper shot of a Chaffinch - not pin sharp by any means

My favourite picture of the day. Dunnock posing on a bramble 

Getting into this bird watching malarky!

Quick trip

A quick visit to Black Hole LNR. The tide was high so more woodland birds about. I'm a relative novice to bird watching and today bought a pair of Olympus binoculars.

Here are a couple of pictures:

Canada Goose on the marsh land. Very noisy indeed!

Blue Tit - rather far away and not pin sharp, but my first decent picture of this popular bird 

A rather dull looking Linnet? 

Typical Weather

Typical British weather is no good for potential photography trips. Off to London next Monday on my week off. In the meantime heres a selection of pictures from Durdle Door / Lulworth Cove a few weeks back. 

Durdle Door (Dorset). First visit back since a school Geography trip

Hard to believe that the Friday before last, (30/3/12) I was playing golf in glorious sunshine on the Par 3 course at Oakmead, near Sidmouth.

Great golf conditions. How the weather has changed recently . . . 

My friend Stubbs going for a long putt on the edge of the green

First venture down to Black hole LNR (near Colyford/Seaton) yesterday. Really impressed with the work thats been done there. In the coming months I'm sure more and more wildlife will emerge.

Nearing the end of the visit this Little Egret flies next to the hide.

Little Egret constantly hunting for fishes.

Great array of species seen on the marsh lands. There were around 5/6 Little Egrets on the marsh - great to see. Didn't manage to get many other pictures due to the darkening light conditions.

One of the many Shelducks on all sides of the river and marshlands

Dark conditions and not pin sharp but my first Goldfinch shot nonetheless 

Will be venturing back in the coming weeks to see the changes in the wildlife.

 

 

Set up this page today. Will mainly be sharing pictures from my trips to LNR's and other points of interest.